[BLOG] THE END OF AN ERA: SHAW’S BOARDING HOUSE "FOR SALE"

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Nearly 20 years ago, I saw this sign while hiking northbound on the Appalachian Trail that directed me

(via a blue-blazed Trail) in to the town of Monson, Maine.

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Here’s how it looked back then with the fall foilage near peak and my hiking companion Harry

(Delta Force) contemplating the two mile side hike to town.

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I spent two nights in Monson at Shaw’s Boarding House before hiking the 100 Mile

Wilderness, and another night here after I summited Katahdin.   Mr. and Mrs. Shaw ran the

hostel and were incredibly kind.  Each day they served up generous helpings of food

at breakfast ($5) and dinner ($.

When Mr. Shaw found out that I hadn’t photographed a moose on the hike, he immediately

loaded me in to his truck and took me down the road where – sure enough – a moose stood

grazing near a stream.

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Unfortunately, Mr. Shaw died a few years ago and Mrs. Shaw passed away this spring.  Both are

greatly missed by The A.T. community.

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I was hiking in Maine last week and went by their house once again.  It looked much like it did when I passed

thru on the A.T. nearly 20 years ago – but this time a “For Sale” sign hung in the front yard.

The Shaw’s hosted thousands of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers since they opened their doors to hikers in the

1970’s and it is truly the end of an era.

Bless you Mr. & Mrs. Shaw